Issue/Question: I feel a vibration or shudder through my steering wheel when I start to turn the wheels. The situation is this: From a standing start, creeping the vehicle very slowly forward or backwards and turning the steering, I feel this momentary shudder or vibration. Could this be due to the steering system activating itself from a standing start, or could there be a problem? My tire pressures are at 35ib.

Answer:
I would suggest putting the truck on an alignment rack so the suspension stays loaded and then turn the wheels to see if any binding is present. This will check for seized ball joints. These ball joints don’t have grease fittings and when the grease gets thick it will no longer lubricate the joint and cause the shudder. If the joints are still tight sometimes we can re-lube the joints with a grease needle through the boots, providing their still intact.

Posted on March 7, 2012 in: Dodge, Wheels|Comments Off on Dodge Wheel and Cylinder Questions

Car Information:
Dodge
Year: 2001
Engine Size: 3.3
Trans: Automatic

Issue / Question:
The ABS light is sometimes on but the brakes seem to operate okay. However every once in a while, usually the ABS light is off and the brakes will have a stiff feel and a weird buzzing noise with a fast pulsating in the brake pedal. Then the ABS light comes on about a minute later. The brakes seem to be doing this more frequently now than 2 weeks ago. It almost feels as if the ABS motor is firing. Could this be a wheel sensor? Can the ABS code be checked even though the code is clearing?

Answer:
In many cases I find a loose wheel bearing, allowing a wheel speed sensor to come into contact with the pick up wheel. When this happens, the ABS system realizes a wheel lock up and rids brake pressure at a particular caliper or wheel cylinder.

With our Mopar DRB 2 scan system we can pull historical data from the PCM even if the ABS light is off.

Issue / Question:
I had brought my car to Tire Kingdom to get two new tires installed and an alignment. (The left front and right rear tires were removed; the right front tire was moved to the right rear; and two new tires were installed on the front.) After this was done, the next morning as I was driving my car on the highway, I noticed my vehicle started to shake when I was reaching speeds of 60+ mph.

I brought it back to Tire Kingdom where they had redone the alignment and balanced all four tires. The morning after that I noticed that my car was still shaking on the highway. I noted that it’s my entire vehicle that’s shaking, not just my steering wheel, and that it seems to be shaking in a left-right manner, versus an up-down manner.

Again I brought it to Tire Kingdom and they took it for a test drive. At this point the shaking started at approximately 50-55 mph. They brought my car into their shop and lifted it up so they could see overhead, and they noticed that my rear axle “is loud”. They suggested to bring my car in for a day so they could take a closer look at it, but they suspect that it might be a bad axle.

I drove on the highway this morning and was checking if I was hearing any loud noises as I was driving, but I didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary. However, the shaking in my car was the most violent as it’s ever been this morning.

So, I’m looking to get a second opinion as to what’s going on. This shaking problem only started happening after I had those two new tires and alignment done. It’s difficult for me to believe that it’s a bad axle causing this since this wasn’t happening before.

Answer:
I agree with you and I suggest you don’t drive the truck. This could be dangerous. If you don’t have it towed drive it in town only don’t get it on the highway! Let us know when your bringing it.

Issue / Question:
On this 4-wheel drive truck, are the front wheel bearings serviceable? In other words, should the wheel bearings be removed, cleaned, and repacked with a high quality high temperature grease every 50,000 miles?

Answer:
It says its a sealed non-serviceable hub and bearing assembly,

For professional auto repair & services in Orlando you can call our shop today at 407-629-2661.

Issue / Question:
The car is making a loud hum with increased speed. I have had 3 wheel bearings replaced and my mechanic finally decided that the car needs the rear-end rebuilt. I’m planning a trip to Naples, FL the weekend of 4/29. My husband said that I can drive a long time needing that repair without having a problem (breakdown).
1. Do you agree with that?
2. How long does it take to have the rear-end rebuilt?
3. How much would that cost?

Answer:
If its a worn ring and pinion I agree it could go a long time like that, BUT! If its a bad side or pinion bearing the entire rear end can lock up while your driving it! Swing it by the shop, one of us will take it on a short test drive and let you know if your in any danger, wont charge you a dime to do so.

For professional auto repair & services in Orlando you can call our shop today at 407-629-2661.

On this 4-wheel drive truck, are the front wheel bearings serviceable? In other words, should the wheel bearings be removed, cleaned, and repacked with a high quality high temperature grease every 50,000 miles?

Answer:

It says its a sealed non-serviceable hub and bearing assembly.

For professional auto repair & services in Orlando you can call our shop today at 407-629-2661.